Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
ing stock when it turned out that, when struck by the sun, the steel sphere below the antenna
produces the reflection of a giant cross. This inspired a popular joke (not appreciated by the
GDR leadership) that the phenomenon was the 'Pope's revenge' on the secular socialist state
for having removed crucifixes from churches.
The tower's rocket-like shape was inspired by the space race of the 1960s and in particu-
lar the launch of the first satellite, the Soviet Sputnik. The tower is made up of the base, a
250m-high shaft, the 4800-tonne sphere and the 118m-high antenna. Its original location
was supposed to be the Müggelberg hills on the city's southeastern edge. Construction had
already begun when the authorities realised that the tower would be in the flight path of the
planned airport at nearby Schönefeld. Ulbricht then decided on its current location.
Holders of Fast View, VIP, Early Bird and Late Night tickets, which must be prepur-
chased online and printed, can jump the queue.
DON'T MISS...
Sunset cocktails at the cafe in the sky
PRACTICALITIES
TV Tower
030-247 575 875
Panoramastrasse 1a
adult/child €13/8.50, Fast View ticket €19.50/11.50
9am-midnight Mar-Oct, 10am-midnight Nov-Feb
Alexanderplatz,
Alexanderplatz
SIGHTS
A lovely way to experience Berlin from April to October - and a great break
from museum-hopping - is from the open-air deck of a river cruiser. Several
companies run relaxing Spree spins through the city centre from landing
